Style 43

After setting off from our very un-leafy suburb our journey into Central London was delayed as the whole of Oxford Street had been brought to a stand still. This was due to some disgruntled woman losing it and burning New Look down to the ground after being sold a naff pair of shoes. Either that or some mass insurance scam. The night was going to be explosive, the smell of fireworks was in the air.

We arrived at the almost empty Mean Fiddler just in time to catch Ugly Duckling’s Dizzy introduce the Halfway House Mc’s as the opening act, and plead with who ever was in ‘the joint’ to come fill the mass chasm in front of the stage. People respected the request, and like thirsty beasts huddled round a watering hole in the in middle of desert, they broke away form the bars.

“We’re keeping short, we’re keeping it short.” The two Californian MCs proclaimed.

Thankfully they did just that. I wasn’t all impressed and so don’t have much to say really apart from their DJ was wearing a Slayer T-shirt. Their set was over before it had begun and the highlight was Dizzy roaming around the mediocre crowd taking pictures for his boys. This left people a bit disgruntled that they were dragged away from quenching their thirst.

Next up was a band I first saw about 6 years ago Imperial Leisure, a Rap/Ska mash up from London. With all 10 members taking to the stage in golf outfits the pace of the night was taken up a gear. This was clear as the venue filled out almost immediately and with the sound of devil trombones the party atmosphere was in full swing. Champagne bottles were being opened and dished out, as people grooved on down to what can only be described as a pleasant juxtaposition. What Ska at a Hip-Hop show?? You think that’s a pleasant juxtaposition?? Fuck off!! Well I’m telling you it worked. Everybody likes ska on a warm summers evening when mass corporate outlets like New Look are burnt to the ground. And if you don’t like ska then your just primitive. Go back to hitting sticks together or whatever it is you do.

With the addition of a keys player Imperial Leisure seem to grow each time I see them. Physically, musically (and afro-ly - yes Denis it just keeps getting bigger). The band delivered a great visual and energetic performance. Catchy songs like ‘Landlords Daughter’ brought the audience together and warmed up their voices ready for…

“Tell me who you came to see??”

“YUUUDEE!!”

There was no messing around, the climax of the night was upon us. Einstein took to the stage first and laid down some beats, this fired up the already hyped crowd. The entrance of the elongated Andy Cooper and rounded Dizzy Dustin quickly followed. These two brothers from other mothers a juxtaposition in them self. The party was started. The onstage chemistry between all three was flawless Einstein as always performing complex scratches while Dizzy and Andy provided the comedic element which we have all come to love and expect from an Ugly Duckling show. This included one song in which saw the two of them use one mic and throw it between them when it was their time to spit.
-Andy dropped it.

Einstein then busted the intro to ‘Flash Gordon’. He then went down under and rose with the infamous ‘Dookie Gold Chain’ and went straight into ‘Eye On The Gold Chain’. Tunes like ‘Smack’ and ‘A Little Samba’ followed. Dizzy then takes a moment to thank and appreciate the work of Einstein who “Is no CDJ” and uses “All vinyl.”

It was time for now for Dizzy to go solo, with Andy bowing out by saying “I leave you with the Cat in Black who likes to jerk the Jack.” After doing the track with his own name Andy returned dressed in a familiar looking uniform, “Mmmm Meat Shake, I love Meat Shake..” and did what I thought was a decent Justin Timberkale impression however I don’t think it was supposed to be construed that way. Going straight into ‘Meat Shake’ they had only just got into the first few bars when suddenly this overly butters chick dived on stage and started getting her grove on. Either she fell for Andy’s singing or that Lynx Boom Chicka Wah Wah advert really does happen. Hmmm. (Mental Note: To avoid attracting ugly girls: one, don’t ever do a Justin Timberlake impression and two, never ever use Lynx.)

Andy then joked to the girl; “Did you bring a map…because I got lost in your eyes.” Dizzy then goes “Is that a mirror in your pocket?? Because I can see myself in your pants.” The chick was then made to pick between Dizzy and Andy. Inevitably she went for the safe option and picked Einstein.

After a few more tunes, the two moved onto a Hip Hop Quiz. They finished the set on ‘End Of Time.’ Much to my delight as they didn’t play this tune a couple of months previous at the SCALA. Earlier on in the night Dizzy gave me the quote; “Hip-Hop aint what it used to be.”

This thought evident in their music and overall message which is one of mocking the clichéd gangster rappers who dominate the mainstream.

When you see UD live its an intimate affair. They don’t try and wow you with flashy visuals and a massive posse of cats all begging to be part of the action. Its simply raw Hip-Hop at its best.

Reviewed by: Richard Flanagan.
Photographs by: Jen Saul.

http://www.myspace.com/uglyduckling
http://www.myspace.com/imperialleisure

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